Moving to Work in Fairfax County: Helping Families THRIVE

The goal of the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority
(FCRHA) is that our residents have a place to call home, and an
opportunity to thrive. That is why the FCRHA created its
THRIVE Initiative - Total Housing Reinvention for
Individual Success, Vital Services and Economic
Empowerment.

The THRIVE Initiative is all about linking residents to services and
programs offered by other county agencies or non-profit organizations
aimed at helping them become more self-sufficient. These programs
are designed to help residents better manage their money; train for a new
job; pursue college or other training; become a better parent; learn
English; improve your health; and perhaps even purchase a home.

At the heart of THRIVE is the FCRHA’s application to the U.S. Department
of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for designation as a “Moving to
Work” (MTW) agency.

With the MTW designation, the FCRHA may now be able to:

Create a housing continuum that seamlessly joins together the
county’s housing programs – including Public Housing and Housing Choice
Vouchers - and establishes goals to help residents move toward
self-sufficiency you are able to achieve.

Expand its already strong community partnerships with non-profit
organizations to provide self-sufficiency services ranging from
“ready-to-rent” training, to job readiness, through homebuyer education
and beyond.

Reduce the burden both on staff and residents related to such
things as re-certifications and inspections, which will allow staff to
focus more on people – not paperwork. This now focus will allow
us to link you to the services – such as job training and education –
that residents need to move toward self-sufficiency.

The FCRHA approved the MTW Plan at its June 14, 2012 meeting and
submitted its application for this program to HUD on June 26, 2012.